Adjustable manuscript holder



May 25 ,1926. 1,586,098

E. MANDLER ET AL ADJUSTABLE MANUSCRIPT HOLDER Filed on. '31, 1922 Ill Patented May 25, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE.

EUGEN MANDLEB AND OTTO MANDLER, OF VIENNA, AUSTRIA.

ADJUSTABLE MANUSCRIPT HOLDER.

so that the typist or compositor, when desirous of bringing the manuscript nearer to the eye, is not compelled to make any tedious or strenuous movement of the body, and need not even turn the head.

In the improved apparatus according to this invention the manuscript-holder can be crease the sheets.

The new device is adapted to carry the holder through an inclined path from a reading position directly above the typewriter into a position to the rear of the typewriter and at a higher level above where it does not interfere with the manipulation of the typewriter. In both positions of the holder the manuscript or copy it carries is turned towards the writer.

Some constructional forms of this invention are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is an elevation of a. mechanically operated manuscript or copy holder,

Fig. 2 is a similar view of a device actuated by pneumatic means, and

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the upper portion of a third modification. i

In Fig. 1, a is a typewriter. The manuscript-holder b is in a position of rest above and slightly "behind the machine, so that it does not hinder the free operation of the machine and also does not obstruct the view otthe typed matter.

The manuscript-holder is shown as having the form of a book-rest merely by way of example; it may have any other suitable construction such as clip, roller or the like. Similarly its normal position of rest may be on one SIC e or the other side of the machine or behind the machine.

Application filed October 31, 1922. Serial No. 598,207.

In order to bring the manuscript-holder Z) into position for reading, a positive mechanism in the form of a lazy-tongs 0 is provided which is mounted on the upper end of a vertically adjustable rod (Z fixed to the desk or table 6 supporting the typewriter.

The ends of the lazy-tongs 0 are pivoted at f, and f, to brackets j and j, respectively. Both brackets are mounted on the rod cl the bracket j being stationary while the bracket 3' is adapted to slide on the rod under the action of a compression spring h, which tends to move the bracket into its normal position at the upper end of the rod cl. The upper end of a wire 9 or the like which may be a. Bowden wire for instance is attached to the bracket The wire 9 moves in an eye of the stationary bracket j to which is secured a flexible tube 9 for protecting the wire. The lower end of the wire is secured to a treadle f below the table.

In the position of parts shown in full lines the manuscript holder 6 is at the rear of the typewriter a. If it is desired to read the manuscript or to exchange a sheet, the writer depresses the treadle f. The wire 9 now moves the bracket in a downward direction and into the position shown in dotted lines. This causes the lazy-tongs c to be extended and the manuscript holder to assume the position shown in dot and dash lines where the manuscript can be read conveniently.

On the treadle f being released, the manuscript-holder 7) is caused by the action of the compression spring ZL, to return into its normal position of rest.

In Fig. 2 a circularly bent guide tube 2' is fixed by screws to the table 6. In this tube which is closed airtight by means of a stuffing box m, a bent rod or plunger is provided with a piston is at its lower end, to the upper end of which the manuscript-holder b is articulated at Z), is adapted to slide in and out. A link Z which is tulcrumcd on the tube 2' at Z and pivotally connected with the manuscript holder I) at 7., serves to give to the manuscript such a degree of inclination as will ensure that the said manuscript will always be facing the eye of the operator as is'nccessary for the purpose of checking.

The lower end of the tube 2' is connected with a bellows W by means of aflexible tube a. The bellows may be operated by a treadle r which is returned to initial post Ala Iii

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tionby a spring 72/ The operator, by manipulating the bellows 1* causes the air which is compressed into the pipe 2' through the flexible pipe ntopush the bent rod or plunger 71: outwards, and thereby produce the reading position indicated in dot-anddash lines. lfhe pressure of the spring'lz helps the suction action of the bellows to reverse the operations. An hydraulic power transmission may be employed in an analogous manner instead of the described pneumatic transmission.

Fig. 3 illustrates the use of a parallel motion as a positive transmission mechanism for moving the manuscript-holder. The length and configuration oi the links 8 and t is made such that the manuscript-holder will receive the requisite inclination both in the rest position and the reading position. The links 8 and t are fulcrumed on the OX tendedend (Z of a rod d which is similar to the rod (Z in Fig. 1, at a and 2f, respectively, and pivotally connected to a lever r at their other ends. The manuscript holder 7) is rigidly secured to the lever r; 72., is a tension spring, and g, is a wire cable. The spring h, is held in a bracket 29 on the rod (1 at one end and inserted in an eye 8 ot the link .9 at the other, and the cable g, is inserted in an eye 5 of the link 25. A pull can be exerted on the cable by any suitable means not shown), for instance the treadle fshown in Fig. 1. ll hen not in use, the parts are in the position shown in full lines in the drawings, the force of the spring 7L, causing the link 8 to be swung upwards into the erected position, thereby carrying the manuscript-holder b upwards or backwards into the lull line in operative position in which it is downwardly suspended from the link mechanism. The link mechanism in the construction shown by wayof example in the drawing constitutes a kind of link parallelogram, the two opposite shorter arms of which are respectively constituted on the one hand by the inwardly curved end portions 3' of the link 8 and the connecting lever r pivoted thereto and to the other link If and of which the 1nanuscript-holder 7) torms an extension, and on the other hand by a correspondingly shaped head cl of the adjustable rod cl. By the operation of the cable g, the links a, t with the manuscript-holder Z) are swung into the substantially horizontal dotted-line position against the action of the spring 70,, while upon releasing the pull on the cable g, the parts are erected or swung backwards, or reclined.

Instead of actuating the described transmission mechanisms by means of a treadle,

this operation may be suitably effected by means of a key, or even by hand, without departing fromthe natur'eof this invention.

Further it is immaterial whether an elec tric'transmission mechanism is used instead of a mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic transmission mechanism. e also wish it to be understood that we may use any other kind-of pulling means instead of a cable or other flexible connection operated by the treadle, or :the like, such as pulling rods, link connections or the like, and other modifications and alterations may be applied so as to'better adapt our invention to varying requirements and to the convenience of the user.

Vi e claim:

1. An adjustable manuscript holder comprising a support, a. holder, mechanism operatively connected with said support and said holder for bodily moving said holder away from said support and into a lower position and means for actuating said mechanism.

2. An adjustable manuscript holder comprising a support, a holder, mechanism operatively connected with said support and said holder for bodily moving said holder away from said support and into a lower position and foot-operated means for actuating said mechanism.

3. Ali adjustable manuscript holder comprising-a support, a holder, mechanism operatively connected with said support and said holder for bodily moving said holder away from said support and into a lower position and means comprising a flexible power transmitting 'means for actuating said mechanism.

4-. An adjustable manuscript holder com prising a support, a holder, mechanism comprising a parallelogramof links operatively connected with said support and said holder for bodily moving said holder away from saidsupport and into a lower position and means'iior actuating said mechanism.

5. An adjustable manuscript holder comprising a support, a holder, mechanism comprising a parallelogram of links operativcly connected with said Sl'lppOl't and said holder for bodily moving said holder away from said support and into a lower position and foot operated means for actuating said mechanism.

(3. An adjustable manuscript holder comprising a support, a holder, mechanism comprising a parallelogram of links opcrativcly connected with said support and said holder for bodily moving said holder a ray from said support and into a lower position and. means-comprising a flexiblepower transmit-- ting means for actuating said n'lechanism.

In testimony whereot' we affix our signaturcs.

EUG-EN lJANDLER. OTTO MANDLER.

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